Cool Place Alert: Main Street Bead Connection, Vancouver WA

I know, I know, there's a whole mythology involving sales tax and driving distance that keeps some of you from venturing into "The Couv." But there are fantastic crafty resources up there! Make an afternoon of it, bring friends, visit Unraveled, and have lunch. (La Bottega is an excellent choice for that, by the way.)

And then, check out Main Street Bead Connection. One thing I notice about bead stores is that they seem to either specialize in one type of bead, or they carry lots of different types, but only a little of each. So I loved that Main Street had both variety and depth in their inventory. Let me illustrate...

You can find glass beads, both new and vintage...

And a great selection of gemstone beads, in some really interesting shapes...

And wooden beads, and shell...

And a nice wall of seed beads...

And a nice, sparkly wall of crystals, too.

There are also lots of findings, and vintage buttons, and books and mags. And there's a classroom in back - and our own Teresa Sullivan Studio teaches there sometimes, among lots of other talented artists. Main Street doesn't have a website, but you can call the store for information on classes: 360-750-1444.

Manager Diane Lauderbaugh and her staff are very friendly, and the atmosphere is very relaxed and stay-a-while.

Oh, and by the way, part of the store is devoted to clothing, hats, and bags which have been beaded, embroidered, and embellished. There are some gorgeous things here.

See? You'd drive for all that, wouldn't you?